TRIAL NIGHT OF STARS

It doesn’t happen too often throughout each year but every now and then a trial session is put on that holds just as much interest , if not more so , that the following race meeting.  Tonight at Hove there is one very such session as the likes of 2018 Greyhound Of The Year Dorotas Wildcat, 4 time 2018 Category One Winner King Turbo , King Elvis , Droopys Gold , Sporting Dave plus a host of other top class greyhounds are put through their paces in preparation for a tilt at the inaugural £10,000 to the winner Coral Winter Derby , to be run over the new 490m distance at the track.

With 12 open races also to be staged on the evening , it really is a night not to be missed if you live within travelling distance of the track.

There is a 515m maiden at 6.44pm and Kevin Boon looks to have a nice recruit over from Ireland in the shape of Bockos Boony.  He’s trialled reasonably well in two 305m sprints at Nottingham over the past couple of Mondays , 17.85 (+20) and 17.99 (+10) but heads to Hove without the benefit of a trial.  He’s sure to be well fancied but i’m siding with Seamus Cahill’s local runner Guinness Rover (NAP).  This strapping white and black son of Ballymac Vic showed himself in excellent form when running out a wide margin winner of a top grade 490m race here at Hove last week.  I fancy him to have the beating of Boony on this occasion.

Ernie Gaskin unleashes what appears to be a top puppy open prospect at 7.17pm in the shape of Roman Empire (TREBLE).  Totally un-raced this July 2017 son of Droopys Sydney posted 2875 (normal) in what was his first official four bend trial over the 480m of Momore recently.  He then backed that up with an excellent 29.12 (-50) over this 490m trip at Hove on Monday.  Despite this being his debut , I expect him to come away well and prove too good.  There are dangers though , Saving Face from trap 1 was put up by Paul Lawrence as his greyhound to follow for 2019 before he’d even run a race , he’s since won 3 out of his first 6 around home track Yarmouth.  Megatone from trap 6 is a dog with ability but trainer Kevin Boon would be the first to admit he does at times find the trouble spots , he took an early lead from the four box last time out at Nottingham but from a wider than ideal draw in six tonight , the same trouble free run is far from certain.

It’s the Download The Coral App 490m Final at 8.06pm and though Trade Fudge did absolutely nothing wrong when setting a new track record of 28.24 over this course and distance in last weeks heat , he is drawn much nearer the inside than he will find ideal tonight and for that reason i’m siding with the Matt Dartnall trained Easter Week (NEXT BEST) drawn in red.  A normal break from this son of Romeo Recruit can see him take command on the inside at set sail for home coming off the second bend.

There are plenty of other good class races on the card , the above are just a few suggestions.  The best of luck with your bets.